Marsh field,
home of muskegon area baseball since 1916

Marsh Field – A Jewel on The Lakeshore

Marsh Field was born out of an idea from Charles W. Marsh, a local industrialist and baseball enthusiast who in 1915, with the help of a small group of investors, purchased four blocks of wooded land at the corner of Peck and Laketon with the goal of constructing what was then considered to be a first-class baseball facility. On May 4, 1916, the Muskegon Reds of the professional Central League played the first baseball game at brand-new Marsh Field. Although the Reds were defeated that day 4-0 by Terre Haute, a long-standing tradition had begun. Over 5,000 eager fans jammed into the large wooden grandstand that day to watch the home team. Marsh Field has been the home of Muskegon baseball ever since. This tradition-rich ballpark has served as the home of the Muskegon Lassies of the All-American Girls Professional League as dramatized in the movie A League of Their Own. It was also the home of two minor league baseball teams, the original Muskegon Clippers (New York Yankees) and the Muskegon Reds (Detroit Tigers).

Baseball historians will recognize many of the names that have appeared at Marsh Field. It is a veritable "who's who" of baseball greats. Hall of Famer Bucky Harris played for the Muskegon Reds in 1916 and Red Ruffing managed the Clippers in 1949. Other names that are easily recognizable include; Harry Heilmann, Mel Ott, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Elston Howard, Mickey Cochrane, Charlie Gehringer, Hank Greenberg, and the immortal Satchel Paige. All of these greats once displayed their skills at Marsh Field.

Please click on the Donation link at the top of the page to learn more about how you can help with the renovation of this grand old ballpark.

Donations

In 2010, the Muskegon Clippers 501(c)3 took control of Marsh Field from the City of Muskegon and following years of neglect and minimal maintenance, made a commitment to improve both the appearance and functionality of this historical site. Since 2010, with the help of local businesses, various community groups, the City of Muskegon and personal savings, over $175,000 has been invested into the revitalization of this ballpark. While the everyday tasks of mowing, edging, irrigation, raking, etc. are done on a daily basis there are many other things beyond the reach of our organization. Additional seating, new dugouts, an expanded press box and concession, and improved lighting are all badly needed. We all understand that the old ballpark is showing its age and in the coming years it will continue to require additional attention. These projects will address some long-standing needs and at the same time will enhance the baseball experience for players and fans alike. This is the start of what we hope will be a transformational period for this beloved ballpark. In an effort to realize this dream, we are embarking on a capital campaign designed to upgrade what we believe is an important part of Muskegon’s rich history. While we understand that this effort is ambitious, we also understand what this old ballpark means to many people in the Greater Muskegon Community.